My sister-in-law had always felt entitled to everything she wanted, but nothing prepared me for her most absurd request yet: she wanted me to conceive a kid only so she could keep it as a present. When she refused to accept no as an answer, I resolved to give her a lesson she’d never forget.

Do you believe you have weird relatives? So, let me tell you about mine, and you might alter your mind.

Harry and I had been married for seven years and together for over fifteen, with two wonderful children, Maya and Luke. Our small family meant everything to me, but our extended family wasn’t that straightforward.

I sensed something was wrong the first time I met my mother-in-law, Charlotte, and my sister-in-law, Candice.

I told myself it was simply jitters and I was overthinking things. I had no clue then how many problems they would cause in my life. Candice demonstrated her self-centeredness before our wedding day. She caused a complete meltdown because I had the guts to choose someone else as my maid of honor.

Worse, she said my outfit was more beautiful than hers. As if my wedding was intended to be centered on her!

She almost spoiled the entire day, but happily, Harry’s grandma, Grace, intervened.

Aside from my spouse, Grace was the only really caring member of that family. Unfortunately, Mom lived too far away to visit us frequently.

However, right before Candice’s thirty-first birthday, something happened that caused me to question reality itself.

Candice seldom came to see us, and when she did, she avoided the kids, constantly saying that they were “too noisy” or “gave her headaches.” However, that day was different. She spent hours playing with Maya, and something about it sent chills down my spine. As it turned out, I had every cause to be concerned.

Candice kept staring at Harry and me during dinner. I knew she wanted attention. I didn’t know why.

“I have an announcement!” Her voice echoed across the dining room. “I’m going to be a mom!” she said.

Harry choked on the meal. He coughed and reached for his drink. I froze, the fork already halfway to my mouth.

“What?” I asked.

Harry wiped his lips. “Who… is the father?” His eyebrows furrowed. “You’re not even dating anyone.” He was correct. She had gone away from her last partner after screaming at him for not purchasing her an expensive purse.

Candice waved her hand. “That’s actually why I came over today.” She straightened in her chair. “You two will be the parents of my daughter.”

My stomach turned. “What?!”

She sighed, as if I were the insane one. “I’m almost thirty, and I don’t have a husband.” She grinned. “The perfect birthday gift would be a daughter.”

I opened my mouth and then closed it. My brain tried to comprehend her words.

Harry massaged his temples. “You want Stephanie to be your surrogate?”

Candice shakes her head. “No, I want you two to have a baby for me.”

I put my hands on the table. “So, it would be our child, and you expect us to give it to you?”

“Not only donate; give it to me for my birthday.” What is the problem?” Her tone was light and casual, as if she were asking for a sweater.

I gazed at her. “You seriously don’t see a problem?” My voice increased. “Harry and I won’t have any more children. I am not having a baby only to give it to you.

Candice scoffed. “Stephanie, you’ve always been so selfish.”

When Harry sat up, his chair scratched across the floor. “No, Candice. Stephanie is correct. “We are not doing this.”

“But why?” You already have two. Could you please explain the concern with having one more? Her voice reached a high-pitched whine.

I clenched my fist. “I’m not an incubator! A child is not a thing. “A child is a person.”

“You really don’t want me to be happy!” You want to be the only one with children!” Candice shrieked.

Harry slapped his hand onto the table. “Enough! Leave. Now.”

Candice’s face turned crimson. She stood, shivering with rage. “I’ll tell Mom about this!” She stomped to the door, opened it, and shut it behind her.

I exhaled. “How did she even come up with this?”

Harry shakes his head. “She’s completely lost it.”

Candice was quiet for a time. I thought that meant she had finally let it go. I should’ve known better.

Candice stopped by our place one afternoon, accompanied by Charlotte.

Shopping bags from baby boutiques filled Candice’s arms. My initial idea was that she had chosen to be a charitable aunt by bringing presents for Maya and Luke. But the arrogant expression on her face told me differently.

Charlotte entered without waiting for an invitation. She sat on the couch, gesturing for Harry and me to join her. Candice stood close, smirking.

“Candice told me that you agreed to give her a baby,” Charlotte remarked.

“What?” No, we told her we were not going to do that,” I said.

“Why not?” Charlotte asked.

“Because it’s insane,” Harry answered.

“Is it really so difficult? Stephanie, as a woman, you should be aware that having children becomes increasingly difficult as you get older. Charlotte protested that Candice was already approaching thirty.

“I’m not going to give my child to your daughter, who has no idea what it means to be a parent,” I responded with firmness.

“That is not true!” I already purchased everything!” Candice declared, removing baby clothing and gowns from her baggage.

“You do understand that a baby is not a doll that you can just dress up, right?” Babies cry, scream, spit up, and do various unpleasant things,” Harry observed.

“My daughter will not behave like that. Candice confidently stated, “She’ll be like your Maya—I’ve never seen Maya cry.”

“That’s because you’ve never spent enough time with her,” I said.

“Then I’ll just bring my daughter to you when she cries,” she added.

Babies wail all day and night. Will you bring her to me every time she cries? I asked.

“Yes. What’s the issue with that? Candice inquired, genuinely perplexed.

Harry buried his face in his hands. “This is impossible.” Candice, you are not ready to become a mother. “Asking someone to have a child for you is completely unreasonable,” he said.

“But you’re my brother!” Candice cried.

While they were arguing, I saw Charlotte had left. I went hunting for her and discovered her in our bedroom, putting holes in our condoms.

“What are you doing?!” I yelled.

“It’s about making everyone’s life easier,” she added quietly.

“Have you lost your mind?!” I yelled.

“Listen, it would be easy for you to have another baby, but it is difficult for Candice. So I wanted to help a little,” she explained.

“Help?!” I shouted. “You’re interfering in our personal lives!”

“Not everyone is as fortunate as you in having a spouse like my son.” You should understand that,” Charlotte responded.

“You are treating me and your son like an incubator! Could Candice consider visiting a sperm donor instead? I snapped.

“Donors are merely random individuals. But you and Harry already have two healthy children, so Candice would know her baby was safe,” Charlotte remarked.

“It would be our child! Ours!” I yelled.

“But you’d be having it for Candice, so it would be her child,” Charlotte said.

“Do you really think I’d give my child to someone who believes they can choose a baby’s gender?” “Or that babies do not cry?” I asked.

“I will help her,” Charlotte responded.

I began to remark, “That makes…” but stopped myself.

I had an idea—a way to teach Candice and Charlotte a lesson while also demonstrating their outrageous behavior to everyone.

“Do you know what?” If you’re going to help, I agree,” I said.

Charlotte beams. “Finally!” Why didn’t you say it earlier?” She remarked, then proceeded to give Candice the “good news.”

As soon as they departed, Harry looked at me in surprise. “You actually agreed to this?” he inquired.

“I have a plan,” I explained.

I performed admirably for the following nine months, until Candice’s birthday.

I smiled, stroked my tummy frequently, and pretended to be the happiest pregnant lady.

Every time Candice phoned, I told her that everything was going fine. I even allowed her to babble about nursery themes and baby names.

It was exhausting. Keeping up the act was exhausting, but I had to persevere.

When the time arrived, I stated that I would give birth in another city. Candice pouted but accepted my reasoning: the “gift” had to remain a surprise until her birthday. After all, it was a present, correct?

On the big day, the entire family came together for the unveiling. Even Grace had traveled to be there.

Candice had informed everyone about her “grand surprise,” describing it as if she had won the lottery.

Harry and I arrived after everyone had taken their seats. I gently cradled a baby carrier wrapped in a giant ribbon. With a gasp, Candice clenched her fists in front of her.

“Let me see her!” she shouted, attempting to peep inside.

“Not yet,” I said. “Wait for the big moment.”

Candice finally got up, nearly gleaming with enthusiasm. “I have an exceptional announcement!” she said. “Harry and Stephanie have given me the most incredible birthday gift—a baby!” Gasps flooded the room. Everyone’s gaze remained fixed on us.

Candice turned, arms extended. “Okay, hand her over now!” I smiled and handed her the carrier.

Candice ripped off the ribbon. She reached into the carrier with shaking hands. Her eyes twinkled with joy. Then her face twisted with fear.

“WHAT IS THIS?!” she exclaimed, taking out a doll.

The room went quiet. All eyes were on her. Harry and I burst out laughing.

“The only baby you’re fit to take care of,” I added, smirking.

Candice’s chest lifted and fell quickly. Her fingertips pressed into the doll’s plastic limbs. She glanced at me with hatred.

“But you were pregnant!” She yelled. “I saw your belly!”

“Fake bellies,” I replied, shrugging. “I went out of town to ‘give birth’ just to sell the illusion.”

Candice let out a piercing sob. Charlotte gasped and sprang from her seat.

“You heartless witch!” Charlotte shouted.

“And who exactly is heartless?” I snapped. “Those who refused to give up their child? Or those who expected a baby as if it were a wrapped present?”

Candice held the toy to her chest. Tears ran down her cheeks.

“But… I already bought so many dresses!” She whined. “Who should I dress up for now?” she asked.

“The doll works perfectly,” Harry explained, still giggling.

Candice’s hands shook as she stared down at the toy. Her entire body trembled.

Then I spotted Grace paying close attention. Her wrinkled hands lay in her lap. Her keen gaze shifted between Candice and Charlotte.

“Can someone explain to me what’s going on here?” She inquired, her tone stern.

I turned to face her. “Candice came to us a year ago demanding that we give her a baby for her birthday.”

Grace’s face wrinkled with bewilderment. “You mean as a surrogate?” Does she experience any health issues?”

“No,” Harry said. “Our baby.”

Grace’s frown grew.

“Candice is perfectly healthy,” I explained. “She just doesn’t have a husband and wants to have a child through us.”

Grace’s cheeks flushed with wrath. She pulled herself out of her seat and aimed a shaky finger at Candice and Charlotte.

“Are you both insane?” she exclaimed.

Candice flinched. “W-what?” What’s wrong with it?” She stuttered.

“You’re exactly like your mother, Candice! I advised my son not to marry you, Charlotte, but he did not listen”! And this is the outcome!” Grace spat.

“Grandma, how could you say that?!” Candice cried.

“I’m saying the truth!” Grace snapped. She took another big breath and looked at them both with contempt.

“I am writing to you both out of my will.”

The room went quiet. Grace’s estate was extremely valuable. Everyone was aware of it. Candice and Charlotte froze with horror.

“You’re serious?” Charlotte muttered, her voice shaky.

“Absolutely,” Grace said coldly. “I will not let insane people like you have any control over my wealth.”

A profound, pleased sense of justice enveloped me. I observed as they came to realize what was happening.

“But—” Candice started.

Grace raised a hand. “Enough. We are leaving. “I want to see my real great-grandchildren.” She turned to face Harry and me. “Let’s go.”

Harry and I did not hesitate. We got up and walked out hand in hand. Candice wailed uncontrollably behind us.

Charlotte yelled with exasperation. We didn’t care. They received precisely what they deserved.